Oliverhill Jimmy Section Shiraz 2006
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Robert
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Wine
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Winemaker Notes
Stuart never takes short cuts and is as fastidious as they come. Brutally low yielding vines means very concentrated fruit. Basket pressing means the fruit is treated as gently as possibly and retains its tremendous complexity without the introduction of hard stemmy tannins. High quality French oak reigns in this beast and gives it structure and elegance. This wine displays characteristic blueberry, mocha, dark chocolate and the faintest background accent of white eastern spices (cardamom, nutmeg and saffron). An incredible mouthful, it dances on the palate for ages and while it is delicious to drink right now, cellaring will see it continue to improve for several more years.
Since its release 7 vintages ago this wine has continued to score 93 points or higher in The Wine Advocate. No question at this price…..it's an absolute steal!
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
The 2006 Shiraz "Jimmy Section" is slightly muted aromatically but with coaxing aromas of pain grille, tar, blueberry, and blackberry emerge. This leads to a full-bodied wine with gobs of spicy black fruits, ripe flavors, and for a wine of this size, surprising elegance. Give it 4-6 years in the cellar and drink it through 2027.
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Wine Spectator
This is a wine of real personality. Smooth, with a winning reticence to the polished blueberry and plum flavors, delicately shaded with loamy, leafy notes. The finish keeps sailing on. Shiraz. Best from 2009 through 2016.
Other Vintages
2012-
Robert
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James
Suckling
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
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Robert
Parker
Oliverhill is a small boutique winery located in McLaren Vale South Australia (McLaren Vale has been referred to as the middle palate of Australian wine). Linda and Stuart Miller own this winery, which was founded in 1973, and is near the spectacular Onkaparinga Gorge National Park. They specialize in premium quality, limited production reds. Specifically, a single vineyard Shiraz, “Jimmy Section”, coming from a small 5-acre plot, planted 47 years ago, a Cabernet Sauvignon, grown on the lower section of the same vineyard along with some Durif, and their “Red Silk” Shiraz, also from their home vineyard.
Oliverhill is an actual strip of dirt situated on famous Seaview Rd., along which is grown arguably some of the best fruit in Australia. At the base of the hill are wineries such as d'Arenberg (their Dead Arm Vineyard is directly across the street) and Maxwell's, and further along the road, Kay Brothers (known for Block 6 Shiraz) and Coriole. There are also various high quality growers up on this hill, and the fruit that is grown along this road often makes its way into Penfolds Grange and the famous Rosemount Balmoral label. And then, right in the thick of all this, is this tiny property owned by the Millers. The wines from here represent the most classic elements that one expects from this special part of McLaren Vale.
All four reds are produced in an extremely limited format with total production hovering around 3000 cases of 12. The Millers are producing hand-crafted wines that are truly artisan in style. They will never produce a lot of wine, but what they do produce will always be of the highest quality. Sustainable vineyard practices, minimal intervention hand-crafted wines, are what Oliverhill wines represent.
Marked by an unmistakable deep purple hue and savory aromatics, Syrah makes an intense, powerful and often age-worthy red. Native to the Northern Rhône, Syrah achieves its maximum potential in the steep village of Hermitage and plays an important component in the Red Rhône Blends of the south, adding color and structure to Grenache and Mourvèdre. Syrah is the most widely planted grape of Australia and is important in California and Washington. Sommelier Secret—Such a synergy these three create together, the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre trio often takes on the shorthand term, “GSM.”
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.